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IN THE SHADOW OF GOD (Guest Post)

Bezalel is an unpopular name and only mentioned few times on the Bible. He didn’t divide the sea as Moses did (Exodus 14:21-22), he didn’t stop and make the sun and the moon stand still as Joshua (Joshua 10:12-14) and he didn’t bring a dead boy to life like Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24). His name is not even written in the witnesses of faith as Bible recorded in Hebrew 11. But God used this ‘ordinary man’ to lead the entire gifted artisans who were working in order to build the tabernacle and all the furnishings inside which God has commanded Moses.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “see, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. (Exodus 31:1-2 NKJV)

Was Bezalel that great until God chose him?? No, because God Himself has given Bezalel all kind of skill that he needed: “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.” (Exodus 31:3-5 NKJV)

So, why did God choose Bezalel? And who is Bezalel actually?

THE DESCENDANT OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Bezalel is Hur’s grandson. Hur was a faithful follower of God. He was together with Aaron held Moses hand up so Israelites can win over Amelekites in Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-13). What does that mean? Hur was a considerate and obedience man to his leader. He supported his leader’s vision and he loved his people.

In addition, Hur, Bezalel’s grandfather was the man who Moses has trusted to be in charge of everything happened while Moses was on the top of mountain to meet God for 40 days and 40 nights. And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them.”(Exodus 24:14 NKJV)

It was not an easy issue for Moses to trust someone. Hur was not living mischievously. He was a righteous man and fear of God.

What is the relevance between Bezalel and Hur who lived righteously?

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS:

If we are the righteous… if we have applied the value of Kingdom of Heaven in our life… it means that we are INVESTING God’s blessings and favor for our future offspring. Be joyful for our descendants will be used by God and become a blessing.

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. (Proverbs 20:7 NKJV)

Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 25:12-13 NKJV)

Was Bezalel blessed by God because he was merely from a righteous ancestor? Of course not. What will happen if we are not the descendant of the righteous? No problem. God will bless and use anyone who give their life and follow Him with whole heart. Let’s start to build our family in God’s way.

A RIGHTEOUS LIFE

The meaning of Bezalel is “in the shadow of God”. Those who dwell in the shadow of God will be there in the place where God is. They love to stay in God’s presence and covered by God’s protection. God paid Bezalel favor not simply because he came from a righteous family, but because he lived in righteous way. Bezalel drew his life near to God. He dwell in God’s shadow. He built strong relationship with God, so he knew God.

That is the reason why Bezalel did the exact things as God has commanded him, though to set up the tabernacle and to build all the instruments were difficult because the shape and size should be precise according to God. “And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all manner of work to the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.” (Exodus 36:1 NKJV) To did all he need total obedience to God.

Only those who obey and dwell close to God can do exactly the will of God.

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, if today any of us who feel that we are “ordinary” based on the world view (Even we think about ourselves too), have nothing, and unaccounted, do not be discourage.

Bezalel was an ordinary man but he diligently sought God, built his life in God. Be like Bezalel, let’s start to build our relationship with God every time, walking together with the Holy Spirit and abide in His Words. If we always live in “the shadow of God”, there will be a time that God will lift us up. He will give us a bigger responsibility when we ready to do it with Him. Holy Spirit will equip us with all we need to do His jobs. He will help us to explore our talents. He will add even multiply our talents so we can be used by God according to His will. On the other hand, don’t be proud of ourselves if today God has blessed and used our lives. Everything is only by His grace! All in our life is God’s work!

As how great God has anointed and used Bezalel, God will use everyone who is available. God can lift a shepherd become a king (David); God called a fisherman and used him to be a fisher of men (Peter) ; God changed a ploughman became a powerful prophet (Elijah). God also capable of turning and using a tax collector to become a follower of Christ (Zaccheus), also a man who fought against the Lord eventually became a radical apostle (Paul) and a lot more to mention.

God is willing and able to transform, use, and equip everyone without exception, including you and me. God is not looking for ABILITIES, He is looking for the AVAILABILITY.

“God choose us not because “WHO WE ARE”, but because “WHAT GOD HAS DONE” within our lives. So there is no reason for us to boast about ourselves”

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36 NKJV)

Karina, Thanks for posting this guest blog! I love the way Bezalel’s gifts get highlighted as the artist he was. And all the intricate work he did was empowered by God’s Spirit. Sometimes it seems faith communities don’t fully appreciate the power of art to help us connect us God and with each other. God obviously has a different approach, which we also see from time to time in nature. Beauty isn’t marginal or unnecessary, not in God’s eyes.
Elouise

One day long ago, someone said to me you write wonderful poetry but its always about love…the only answer I could give to them is I write to honor God because His love has always been near for as long as I could remember when I would draw Crosses on hills when I was two, and other children my mom said would scribble. As the song says, I am just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save everybody! What your heart shares always leads many that way. I ask for nothing for myself, because I have everything…because I have His blessing of love in my life each day! We are a part of the same spiritual vine…may God bless you and your family always. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful message!

Your friend has some very good thoughts in this post, sis! Thank you for sharing it for our benefit! May you post something new soon as many love what you have to share as well! Take care and be blessed, my dear!